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[Worship] Danzas de Santo Cristo?
Speaking of Spanish-speaking brethren, is anyone here familiar with the
customs of Michoacan in Mexico, particularly around September 12?
I was attempting to converse with the nite janitor last week and i
tentatively mentioned Michoacano folk dances, particularly "jarabes", which
i had once seen performed by some Mexican dancers. The janitor proceeded
to demonstrate a few wild steps of a jarabe, followed by some merry polka,
and then a tender bit of "goodbye dance". The unexpected polka was
amusing, but what on earth could a "goodbye dance" be?
There ensued considerable confusion caused by my lack of fluency in
Spanish. (What's the opposite of "fluency" -- "influency"? Certainly not,
in my case!). I finally discovered that he was not talking about goodbye
dances ("danzas adios") but rather about dances to God ("danzas a Dios").
That shone a whole new lite on things.
From what i was able to understand, this dance is done once a year, and
only once a year, on September 12. The day is apparently called "Santo
Cristo" ("Holy Christ"), but don't take my word for it, because he doesn't
speak English, and my Spanish is poor. The dancing takes place in the
Roman Catholic church.
I was hoping i could this dance danced next September in a local cathedral,
but unfortunately he says it is not done in this country. Disappointment.
Is that the final word? Will i have to arrange a vacation in Mexico to see
these intriguing danzas a Dios? Maybe someone on this list with an
interest in worship dancing knows more....?
A Dios,
Lynn Cooley (cooley@loc252.tandem.com)
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